further education advice for an old git

[john 1963]

hi all hope someone can help me. I have been in engineering all my life from 16 to 45, (fabricator/welder) when I had to finish due to a serious illness that has left me disabled. Now after 7 years without working it is driving me mad, but there is no way I can go back to what I know as it is just too physical. I am educated to 'O' level standard, but I had no interest in going to university as I just wanted to get into engineering which looking back was possibly the wrong choice.

I want to retrain for some type of office work as that is about all I could physically manage now, however I do realise age is against me along with my working background. I have a strong interest in law or CAD but I'm not sure where to go, the disabled sites I have seen are short on advice regarding adult training. I did look at the Open University but their prices are not practical to me as I am on benefits. Do any members know where I could study cheaply and possibly do 'A' levels or other courses that will not break the bank?

My priority is to try and get back into work but I would settle for something that is going to stimulate my brain and stop me from vegetating.

regards

J

[ostell]

Re: further education advice for an old git

Because you are on benefits you could be helped with the OU. A quick look at their pages brings up a "Disabled Students Allowance". http://www2.open.ac.uk/study/support...pport-we-offer

THere may be other organisations that could offer assistance.

[Amethyst]

Re: further education advice for an old git

You could be entitled to a student loan to pay the fees studying through the OU - I am doing this starting in October this year. They do have a number of free short courses you can do as well, if you want to try it out see if that way of working suits you. I'm doing a couple more modules (employment law and family law) towards my degree this year while my circumstances happen to mean I can get the student loan.

[seduraed]

Re: further education advice for an old git

Try your local he college they offer a range of courses. I think for minimum you would want an accredited course for ms office, spreadsheets and word processing. Some cad if you can afford it .

[beaconsman]

Re: further education advice for an old git

Just to add, I have had a battle with the OU regarding student finance England, as I am on transitional fees (pre 2012 student) I wasn't eligible (so the OU said). aaaa, but, I switched from a BEng to a BSc Open in 2012, which is a "new" course..
OU approved my tuition fee loan even though I am on transitional fees.